#raerns

[banes-favourite]

Hello, you of so many wonderfully angsty Gortash headcanons... I'm looking for inspiration on situations that the little tyrant would cry? I... may or may not be kicking around a sort of '5 times a Banite cried + 1 time he didn't' kind of fanfic idea...

Ohh that's such a fun concept!! I have a few ideas constantly rattling in my head, but feel free to search through my #asks tag for more, I ramble a lot about him on there. (Also pls tag me if you ever post the fic!!)

(tw for abuse and child abuse below)

- The day he was sold to Raphael! Very underwritten scene but very angsty too. Did he notice his parents discussing it? Did he know? Did he try to run away and fail? The scene of Korrilla taking him away without his parents doing anything about it would be pretty angsty in my opinion, his first day(s) in the House of Hope too as he gets used to this new and strange environment.

- Anything with the House of Hope, literally anything! I think the idea of a child slowly learning the rules of being a slave would be tough, even if he was smart enough to pick up on them quickly. How fast was he in figuring out what he could and couldn't do? Was he punished often? I just bet he was, both physically as well as emotionally. Explore that! How does a child grow up in such a hostile and abusive environment?

- Bane Bane Bane. Religion in and of itself is a concept that can hide a ton of angsty subtext, and Bane's church is a particularly harsh one. Did Gortash struggle when he first joined it? Or was he the first to establish it after House of Hope? Either way, you can't go wrong with some good old fashioned religious guilt. Maybe he feels he's not working as hard as he ought to, or he's not as harsh as he'd like to be in his early days or he's just realised that he's in love with Bhaal's chosen. No matter the scenario, you could write about a Banite prayer of forgiveness and the self-torment that comes with it. Get creative!!

- Durgetash, just in general. Guilt, manipulation, forbidden romance, it's a can of worms but replace worms with angst. How did they meet? When did they start falling for each other? Was their first time together traumatising or liberating?

- Speaking of, have Durge react to Gortash's many flaws. An argument that quickly heads south and turns physical for example, that reveals Gort's scars from the House of Hope. Would he be embarrassed? Unbothered? Either way, Durge would want to know about them, with all of what that entails.

- Just write Gortash having a bad day. After Durge's disappearance perhaps, or just generally being stressed out. Overworked, exhausted, running purely on caffeine and cigarettes, have him cry over something small and insignificant (ie he drops his mug or misspells a word) that just breaks the floodgates open. Have him react with violence or anger or just straight up depression. He's a very sad character in essence, and that definitely should be used more.

Anyway, I hope I helped at least a little bit!!

[lady-proudmoore]

I've seen a few interesting theories about how the mana bomb affected Jaina beyond just her hair color (and mental state but let's not go there). I was wondering if you had any headcanons for physical effects from the mana bomb?

This has been an important topic to me and I have spent a long time analyzing it and researching how the arcane works in warcraft lore. Researching warcraft lore is maddening anyway because it’s not always consistent and so confuddled,  But as of this writing, based on what I’ve researched and know of Jaina, here’s what I’m personally set on for her in my own stories and rp on her physical changes:

- Her new “natural” lifespan will be considerably longer, not only for a human, but even compared to most other human magi. I haven’t decided yet in my headcanon for this if she is aware of it yet for herself.

- Her body ages slower, and she will look younger than she really is. At least a decade younger. I think she will still look like she’s in her early thirties when she’s past 40. What does make her look a bit older, is her emotional stress, and especially that she doesn’t sleep much.

*SIIGGGHHHHHH. I hate this next headcanon but I feel it’s realistic and honest.

- I think it affected her mind. Not her intelligence. She’s as intelligent as she ever was, if not more-so. I think she’s a bit more susceptible to going mad and occasionally struggles a little with her perceptions.This is very complicated though bc so much of this is also just part of the emotional wounding - the deep, deep trauma that extends even all the way into the soul level. They almost intertwine to me really. But you asked about physical and I think that yeah, her actual physical brain was affected some by that massive amount of arcane in the blast. I realize that it dissipated from her body over time. My headcanon on this is very involved and just this one alone I could write a research paper about, lol. This is the short version! xD - I think her body craves arcane more than it used to. Not badly. But every once in awhile she feels she needs to work with the arcane. Like an itch that needs to be scratched - it bugs her. She craves power more than she used to. But this, I think she does recognize for what it is. And she’s good about keeping it in check, and not letting it get the best of her.

- Sometimes she aches. Little aches and pains here and there, not related to aging. She gets headaches more than she used to, and they aren’t always from the emotional stress. - She has a few light scars from the lacerations she had. Nothing major, and most are of course hidden now with her new style of clothing/armor. Oh, actually - I do headcanon one major scar on the palm of her hand. In the book she had picked up a shard of her old mirror and stabbed an orc with it. Realistically she would have sustained a bad cut of her own. I headcanon she still carries a scar on her palm and fingers from that.

- Jaina’s personal ‘magical aura’ or even just her aura in general is stronger than most. Her personal things and anything she may keep on her for some time will carry a stronger sense of her energy than it used to. Obviously part of that is just because she’s Jaina and already exceptionally powerful :) Thank you so much for the nice ask. I have a lot of other headcanons on this topic that I play around with and still think on often. But for now, the above are what I am for sure set on at this time. <3

[archmage--khadgar]

♧ - slap my muse’s hand away from something they shouldn’t touch "Those are for the boys," Vereesa snapped with a slight grin. "Belore, you are worse than Rhonin sometimes." (@bow-women)

Khadgar gave Vereesa a cheeky grin as he shook his slapped hand. “But, I’m also a boy! I’m sooo much younger than I look! Take pity!”  @bow-women

[warwaged-archive]

What's Thalyssra's opinion of Shandris?

TALK HEADCANONS TO ME // always accepting!

Thalyssra didn’t have a generally positive opinion of the kaldorei following Legion and her interaction with Tyrande, coming to judge them as arrogant and mistrustful because of her exchange with their leader. Given she uses Tyrande as an example but speaks broadly of the Night Elves in the Nightborne recruitment scenario when she’s talking to Liadrin, it seems to be something she came to expect of all of them instead of Tyrande alone, after none of the Night Elves offered them further aid or friendship of any sort. 

Initially, I don’t think she’d expect Shandris to be different, given that’s her overall opinion, and specially knowing Shandris has close ties to Tyrande (which I assume she would know of, because specially since joining the Horde, Thalyssra would have sought to know more about other important figures, friendly or not, in order to better lead the shal’dorei now that they’re out in the world again). Still, Thalyssra doesn’t tend to hold on to prejudices like that; she’s not even one to hold grudges, unless they’re very personal. Moreover, when she actually meets and interacts with Shandris, they’re in a very dire situation, and if there’s one foe Thaly wouldn’t ever underestimate it’s Azshara -- so whatever her feelings towards the Kaldorei are, they don’t matter as much as what’s going on there, as surviving Azshara. 

So, all of that said, what immediately happens when they initially interact doesn’t come to her as a surprise:

Shandris Feathermoon approaches. Shandris Feathermoon says: Here to admire the Highborne's handiwork, Thalyssra? To look upon all that your hubris has wrought? Image of Thalyssra says: Suramar rebelled against Azshara. Were it not for our courage, the Legion's forces would have overwhelmed Azeroth. Shandris Feathermoon says: Yet instead of fighting alongside the rest of us, you walled yourselves off as Kalimdor burned around you.

Because that’s pretty much what Tyrande did too, though Tyrande was much more offensive to Thalyssra because hers was a personal comparison (Thalyssra and Elisande and Azshara possibly being the same) while Shandris’ is more broad (the Nightborne and the Highborne being the same). Arrogance and mistrust, as she came to expect from them. 

However, unlike Tyrande, who insisted on that stance and refused to aid the Nightborne beyond her initial promise, and even then wasn’t quite uh, friendly, in her cooperation, Shandris is capable of setting aside those feelings when faced with the dire circumstances that are what really matters then.

Image of Queen Azshara says: It breaks a queen's heart to watch her subjects squabble. Such a futile argument. In the end, you will all be mine again--one way or another. Shandris Feathermoon says: Azshara. Rest assured that we stand united in our contempt for you. Image of Queen Azshara says: You see? We have found common ground already. Dear children, it is only a matter of time until you kneel before my throne. As a willing subject... or a broken corpse. Image of Thalyssra says: Shandris. We sealed off Suramar to keep the Pillars of Creation free from Azshara's grasp. The power she holds with just the Tidestone... Shandris Feathermoon says: I know. So long as it remains in her clutches, we have little hope of victory.

Thalyssra doesn’t feel she owes the Night Elves anything at all, not even an explanation. She offers one because the Nightborne did indeed have a reason to act like they did. She’s making an argument that it’s essential they focus on what’s really important, because like with Suramar being sealed off, it’s vital they don’t let Azshara keep any of the Pillars of Creation. It would be a surprise, still, albeit a welcome one, that Shandris is agreeable to what she’s trying to defend, because when she interacted with Tyrande the situation was also dire, and that didn’t stop Tyrande from criticizing the Nightborne and questioning Thalyssra herself --- but Shandris is a lot more reasonable, in spite of her initially acting so in line with what Thalyssra expected of the Night Elves.

That’s all very important in forming Thalyssra’s opinion of her, because while initially she’d have thrown Shandris in the same box she ended up throwing all the Kaldorei after Legion, this showed her that yes, the mistrust is there, but the arrogance may just be a Tyrande problem more so than a Kaldorei problem akdjnfaksjnf

So from then on I think there’s a shift towards a more neutral-positive stance on her part. I feel Shandris leading the Kaldorei that join forces with the rest of the Alliance and the Horde in the events leading to the mak’gora would only cement her opinion of Shandris as more positive, because regardless of whatever differences they have, it’s clear to Thalyssra that Shandris doesn’t let her personal feelings and prejudices get in the way of doing what’s right when it must be done unlike some people. Thalyssra, much like the rest of the Horde I think, kinda has this problem that they do think they’re not in the wrong because they disagreed with Sylv and eventually turned on her and want to see her pay. But ofc, Tyrande doesn’t see it like that. That only makes Shandris seem much more reasonable in her opinion, I’d think, and Thalyssra just loves reasonable people.

Also people who don’t point fingers at her to blame her for things ig

So yeah! Shandris seems to her like a reasonable person, and Thaly appreciates that in spite of their differences and possible mistrust, Shandris is able to act logically and not hold grudges or be insufferably judgmental. If they ever have to interact, Thalyssra would definitely lean more towards the more friendly attitude she shows towards Jaina, for example, than how she’d act towards Tyrande. 

[ladywindrunner]

"In hindsight, that was a bad decision." - Raern

meme-i-forgot-i-queued :: accepting-ish // 

The conveniences of undeath were not lost to the Dark Lady. One of the most notable advantages was the distinct lack of pain.

           The arrow struck her just underneath her collarbone. There was nothing but faint pressure to indicate its presence, beyond that of her own sight. There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation to tear it from herself, tossing the projectile aside.

           The ranger’s words brought a malicious smirk to the Banshee Queen’s lips. Forsaken slunk out of the woods around them, furious yellow gazes fixed on the woman who’d dared to strike their queen.

           “Quite,” Sylvanas agreed, tone dangerously impish. Nocking an arrow of her own. The broadhead seething with venomous purple magic.

           “Tell me Shadestrider,” the Banshee Queen hummed, “how fast can you run?”

[noseforahtwo]

*Slams drink on table* ALRIGHT you want passionate, lemme bitch like a wine-drunk middle aged woman about one Vereesa muthafukin Windrunner and how everyone and their mother thinks she's just a whiny bitch baby who is composed of tears. This woman. This monster. Deserves more recognition. SO she's the youngest sister of three, her oldest Alleria got suicidal when their brother and father died, got knocked up, dumped the kid in Vereesa's barely adult lap, then ran of to another fuckin' world(1/?)

To fight in a space war for a thousand fucking years. Vereesa's other sister Sylvanas got so wrapped up in taking over their mother's job, despite being Vereesa's idol growing up, and then ends up dead and risen into the spiteful Banshee Queen that I'm pretty sure anyone who knows anything about WoW would recognize. So, Vereesa, BARELY AN ADULT LIKE SHE JUST GOT OUT OF RANGER SCHOOL LIKE FIVE YEARS AGO, is stuck with a tiny tyke, her people almost went extinct (2/5)

And she gets banished from her homeland because she doesn't agree with becoming a junkie to bad magic voodoo. She gets to cope with that, least she's got her husbando, Rhonin Redhair, and ends up having twins (TWINS) with him. I mean... cool. BUT OH MOTHERFUCKING WAIT - Blizz can't fucking leave the Windrunner family alive/without crippling trauma, so let's just yeet Rhonin into a fucking nuclear explosion and have Vereesa deal with that shitshow. With twins. (3/5)

But you know what? You fucking know what? Windrunners are resilient motherfuckers, and Vereesa gets through this shit on PURE SPITE. But fuck, does she do it... by... casually committing genocide... er... genocide light. She basically expells all the blood elves from Dalaran. And... if they don't leave nicely, she and her rangers kill 'em. It's brutal. 'Windrunner Wrath'. It's a legit thing, smack anyone who says otherwise. (4/5)

AND YET for some god awful reason, the fandom looks at her and thinks her only trait is just a river of tears. BITCH PLEASE. One, this woman's feelings are fucking justified because god knows the Windrunner clan is not known for healthy coping skills, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY SHE KILLED PEOPLE IN SPITE. Kill. Not cry. I'm sorry, but like this woman deserves a bit of fucking respect from the fandom. She's a fucking badass and I HATE it when people call her a cry baby. (5/5)

I know fuck all about WoW, but you’re completely one hundred percent correct, and should be well compensated for your future TedTalk.

Send me a passionate letter!

[lightsblade]

@bow-women​​ :  "I ordered my people to shed no blood!" Though Vereesa knew not all of her Rangers had followed the order properly. "If anyone deserves your wrath, it's Rommath and Aethas. They *knew* about Garrosh's plans, and said *nothing*. It's because of them that my children are left fatherless!"  (     *   UNSOLICITED  ASKS   /   SELECTIVELY  ACCEPTING  !

IT  TAKES  EVERY  FINELY  WOVEN  THREAD  OF  SELF  CONTROL  TO  ALLOW  VEREESA  TO  SPEAK .   clenched  jaw  strains  to  contain  the  snarl  that  wants  so  desperately  to  curl  lips  now  pulled  in  a  tight  line .   elongated  ears  that  jut straight  back ,  stiff  and  taut ,  twitch  in  vexation  that  thinly  veils  the  rage  burning  just  underneath  it .   is  all  this  pointless  dribble  supposed  to  justify  what  she’s  done ?   is  it  meant  to  make  her  feel  sorry  for  her ?   to  pity  her ,  to  believe  she  had  no  choice  but  to  commit  such  atrocities  against  her  own  already  suffering  people ?   the  suggestion  of  such  only  stokes  the  flames  of  her  fury   ---   the  audacity  of  this  traitorous  bitch !   if  she’s  allowed  to  keep  spewing  her  filth ,  the  paladin  can’t  promise  that  faithful  dedication  to  her  principles  won’t  momentarily  lapse  for  the  chance  to  make  the  youngest  windrunner  suffer .

❝     SPARE  ME ,  YOU  INSUFFERABLE  SNAKE ,     ❞       frail  patience  snaps ,  previously  splayed  fingers  curl  into  fists ,  tight  and  quaking .   a  lesser  woman  would  throw  one ,  but  by  the  light  is  she  not  tempted  to  stoop  to  such .       ❝    your  excuses  mean  nothing  to  me .   there  is  no  justification  for  taking  up  arms  against  your  own  people .   were  it  up  to  me ,  you  would  be  rotting  away  the  rest  of  your  miserable  years  in  silvermoon’s  prison .    ❞

[redeeming-sun]

"Arator?" Vereesa idly picked at bundle of letters she carried, before offering them to the young half elf. "These... were from your father. To Al- your Minn'da." Her brow furrowed. "I'm sorry you didn't find them. I hope you can get some... peace from these." She forced a sad smile.

@bow-women // Aunt Vereesa

Arator returned to Dalaran with his hands empty. This wasn’t how anything was supposed to happen. With the third opening of the Dark Portal, Arator was certain he was going to cross its threshold and find his parents somewhere on the other side. That was fifteen months ago.

The first year he would take intermittent breaks and return home for various reasons, but the closer he approached a year of searching the more he felt himself losing hope and giving into obsession. Despite requests from his family in Dalaran, he spent his twentieth birthday alone on the broken world searching.

When word got to Khadgar that Arator had not taken a break from Outland in three months, for the young mans health he was sent home.

Arator hadn’t given up but his return gave many that impression. There were so many apologies from people who knew what he was looking for, but had already written his parents off as gone. Sometimes even Arator wanted to accept that they were dead and never coming back...at least then he could stop and maybe put his energy towards something else.

But he couldn’t. Even now, after wasting a year of his life scouring a hostile world, all he had left with was experience. Certainly useful but he would give it all up for just...anything. Even just a reminder that they were still out there.

In his heart, he still remembered the day that had given him hope. The dedication of their memorials when everyone had talked about what great people they were. He had been too young to understand the words spoken, or what ‘gone forever’ meant especially when...he had felt it. They weren’t gone, certainly not forever. He had felt unwavering and boundless love towards him, and the promise they would see each other again.

It had been such a strong sensation that he remembered feeling sure that all he needed to do was reach out and she would be there. That day, something had talked to him and told him it would be okay. While others doubted his parents were even alive, Arator knew differently; so why couldn’t he find them?

Finally home, he could not hide that he felt defeated. How much longer would he be made to wait and how much further would he have to look? He stubbornly held onto his faith that they were alive and destined to see him again, but...maybe focusing so much on finding them was the wrong way to go about it.

When Vereesa approached him with the letters, he was appreciative of her presence but wishing he was alone. The last year he had grown comfortable with silence and now, with his heart breaking and spirit crushed, he just wished for more time alone.

At first, the weight of the letters in his hands felt like more knowledge about them than he had found all across Draenor. It was a gift, and he was appreciative for the connection she had given him.

“Thank you, aunt Vereesa.”

But the way she said it... I hope you can get some peace from these.

She, too, had given up on them hadn’t she? It didn’t matter. Every person in existence may have written them off but Arator. He knew, with the entirety of his being, that he would find them. But today these letters were the closest he could get. He picked up the first one and scrutinized the handwriting.

His father's handwriting. The lines on the front were simple, and Turalyon’s calligraphy was neat and large as though he had taken extra care with each letter to ensure it was legible. 

Marked from Turalyon, General of the Alliance Forces and Paladin of the Silver Hand to a one Ranger-Captain Alleria Windrunner of Quel’thalas.

Oof, those were long titles. From everything that Arator had learned of his father, the man was more humble than a braggart. He wondered if it had been hard on him to always write such long titles. A brief scan over the rest of the letters showed the same legible penmanship but halfway through the letters his father had dropped most of his titles and addressed it simply as from Turalyon.

The paladin had, however, continued to address it formally to Ranger-Captain Alleria Windrunner of Quel’thalas. Arator smiled a little, his heart tricking him for the moment into thinking he knew something about them before he turned over the first letter and...

The envelope was still sealed. The wax, bearing an Alliance crest, was still intact. Okay, so she hadn’t read that one. He checked the next and...same thing. One by one he examined the seals, only to find the same unmarred blue seal on each.

“She...” He wanted to read them, was almost desperate to, but couldn’t get past the realization. “She never read them?” And he looked to his aunt for answers that he prayed she could give.